The Potomac Valley Audubon Society welcomes Kevin Oxenrider, Amphibian and Reptile Program Leader with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources
SCHEDULE
- 6:30 PM: Social time with light refreshments. In order to reduce waste, we are asking that people bring their own mugs.
- 7:00 PM: Presentation begins!
- 8:00 PM: Approximate end of the program – though it may last longer depending on questions and discussion!
PVMN Continuing Education Eligible
This in-person program is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome to attend.
We will also be offering this program virtually! Here is the Zoom link so you can join in from home.
Presentation Description – Most folks have a fond memory of seeing a box turtle. Whether it’s witnessing a box turtle stroll through their backyard, or visiting their garden, or helping one that has accidentally made its way onto a road, people often have positive, caring interactions with box turtles, and for this reason, the species serves as a phenomenal ambassador for connecting people to nature. But box turtles are in trouble—a variety of threats, from habitat loss to illegal collection have resulted in declines of box turtles across the species range, prompting biologists to take action. In West Virginia, the WVDNR has been working diligently to enhance box turtle conservation and develop new and effective conservation strategies to keep the charismatic box turtle on the landscape and continuing to promote wild and wonderful West Virginia. Come learn about box turtles, how the WVDNR are working to protect West Virginia’s box turtles, and how you can take action to help protect them.
About the Presenter – Kevin Oxenrider is the Amphibian and Reptile Program Leader with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Kevin oversees conservation, management, and research actions for West Virginia’s diverse amphibians and reptiles statewide, and represents West Virginia on regional, national, and international working groups and committees to collaborate on amphibian and reptile conservation. He serves as a leading partner on the Eastern Box Turtle Working Group and has been an integral part of developing range wide conservation actions for box turtles.
